KL (Malaysia), July 22, 2013: Malaysia today said it wants the iconic limestone Batu Caves containing the Murugan temple, one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Natural Resources and Environment Minister G Palanivel said that there were more than enough cultural, geological and ecological reasons for Batu Caves to make it into the world body's list of attractions. 

"It should rightfully be listed (as a heritage site). I will ask the National Heritage Department to submit a bid for this," he added. 

Palanivel was responding to reports in The Star newspaper which said the local heritage department would not nominate Batu Caves for listing as a World Heritage Site as it did not meet the requirements. 

He said, the caves are a treasure and meet the criteria listed by the UN body to be recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The heritage department had said that Batu Caves did not fulfil even one out of the 10 criterion listed, claiming that the illegal structures in the caves were not in harmony with the surroundings of the 400-million-year-old limestone rock formations. 

Palanivel maintained that going by the 10 criteria listed by UNESCO, Batu Caves qualified on several fronts, citing the annual Hindu Thaipusam festival and monolithic limestones as strong enough reasons. 

Malaysia is a member of the 21-nation World Heritage Committee which decides on the inscription, referral or deferral of properties proposed for nomination. 

The Murugan temple dedicated to Lord Murugan is the focal point of the Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia. 

The world's tallest statue of Murugan, a Hindu deity, is located outside the Batu Caves.

Source: Business Standard, DT. July 22, 2013.